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Black Tie

Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

The best-selling author best known for his thrillers showed off his humorous side at the Library Foundation for Sarasota County's annual event, which boasted a sellout crowd of more than 600.

  • Black Tie
Candace Copeland, Julie Rania and America Jones
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 6, 2026
Taste of Thunder rolls into Lakewood Ranch

The tasting event gathered Thunder by the Bay supporters together a week before the music and motors festival begins in Sarasota.

  • Black Tie
Jeff and Lisa Silvershein with Natasha and Colin Reisner
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 2, 2026
Elon Gold headlines premiere of Catskills After Dark

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee welcomed nearly 400 guests its inaugural comedy fundraiser to benefit Safe SRQ, which provides security for the Jewish community across organizations in the area.

  • Black Tie
Circus Arts Conservatory CEO and President Jennifer Mitchell and Terri Klauber with Sherry and Tom Koski
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 1, 2026
Circus Arts Gala sings through the rain

Students from the Circus Arts Conservatory wowed guests with their themed performance and received a standing ovation.

  • Black Tie
Lori Jaress, Dave Scott and Sarasota Police Foundation President Jeff Birnbach
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 1, 2026
SRQ Blue and White Gala honors those who serve

The event, held annually by the Sarasota Police Foundation, honors and supports the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Black Tie
Barb Archbold, Matthew Glover and co-Chair Carla Koeffler
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 31, 2026
Sarasota Opera Gala entertains with Winter in Paris

In honor of the opera opening its 67th winter festival with "La boheme," the gala featured a theme taking guests to the City of Lights.

  • Black Tie
Erica Cristea, Monica Palmer, Patricia Cullen and Morgana Robson
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 26, 2026
Good times uncorked at annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

The event, which concludes the weeklong culinary festival, featured unique bites, stellar sips and a picture-perfect day in The Ringling courtyard.

  • Black Tie
Xavier Koffman and Margot Andrich
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 26, 2026
Inspiring Hope Dinner shines a light on mental wellness

The annual fundraiser benefits the work of Sunshine from Darkness, which champions mental health in the community with programming, education and advocacy.

  • Black Tie
Dennis Rees and Felice Schulaner
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 23, 2026
Excitement grows at Sarasota Orchestra Gala for new music center

Guests at the fundraiser could see a model of the new campus, which the orchestra hopes to break ground on in early 2027 and open for the 2029-30 season.

  • Black Tie
Keith Monda and Veronica Brady with Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 22, 2026
SAM explores glass in Fresh Perspectives Lunch

Sarasota Art Museum guests heard from international glass artists Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin to discuss their 45-year partnership.

  • Black Tie
Sherry Koski with guest conductor Peter Oundjian and Chairman Tom Koski.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 16, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra supporters toast Masterworks 3 program

The Sarasota Orchestra held its third Masterworks dinner in anticipation of the weekend program featuring guest conductor Peter Oundjian.

  • Black Tie
The SMHF Board of Trustees held its annual gala on Jan. 10 with more than 650 guests in attendance.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 11, 2026
Hospital Gala guests make it a record-breaking night in raising funds for innovation

In its ninth year, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual gala focused on raising money to bring new technologies to the SMH system.

  • Black Tie
Israeli-American violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and his wife, Toby, founder of the Perlman music program.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 11, 2026
Perlman residency celebrates same great program in new downtown location

In its first year using downtown venues, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast Winter Residency culminates with a successful performance and dinner.

  • Black Tie
Faith Adesanya walks the SPARCC Runway show in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2026
6 social events not to miss in '26

As the next Black Tie season descends upon us, it's chock-full of fundraisers to attend. In addition to a few perennial gems in our selections, there are also some special occasions worth noting.

  • Black Tie
Fabian and Pascale Hoyez
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 2, 2026
Selby Gardens rings in 2026 with guests aglow

A jovial crowd enjoyed a private display of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Lights in Bloom before dinner, dancing and a front-row seat to Sarasota's fireworks at midnight.

  • Black Tie
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
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Latest News

1
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
2
Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sarasota man on probation arrested on drug, other charges
3
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
  • April 10, 2026
Today and tomorrow take the stage in Florida Studio Theatre's 'Birthday Candles'
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Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
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Helga Williams
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